FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The invention disclosed herein relates, in general, to a portable memory device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system for data traceability in a portable memory device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A portable memory device, such as, a flash drive is used for storing data. The data can be transferred into the portable memory device from an external association. The external association can be an association with an external device or an external network. Examples of the external device include, but are not limited to a data processing device, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a media player, a document reader, a phone and a data storage element. For such transfer of data, the portable memory device has to be connected to the external association by using a connection from, but not limited to, a Universal serial bus connection, a wire connection, a wireless connection.
[0004] In certain cases, the data transferred from the external association to the portable memory device can be of a confidential nature. To prevent misuse of such data, current solutions have a provision of allowing restricted access to transfer the data to the portable memory device. Additionally, there are mechanisms for restricting the access to the data stored on the portable memory device.
[0005] Such existing mechanisms can be implemented through software as well as through hardware solutions, and provide the access to authorized users only. However, the current solutions do not have provisions to track the data transferred by the authorized user to ascertain data security.
[0006] Further, the authorized user may use the portable memory device for personal motives. The current solutions may not have provisions to monitor such usage.
[0007] Additionally, in current solutions, once the data transferred to the portable memory device is deleted from the portable memory device, it may not be possible to trace the data.
[0008] Additionally, the authorized user or another user who is able to access the portable memory device may use it on multiple devices. For example, the authorized user or the another user may transfer the confidential data from a secure device to the portable memory device, delete the confidential data from the secure device, connect the portable memory device to another device, transfer the confidential data from the portable memory device to the another device and delete the confidential data. In such situations, the current solutions may not have
provisions to retrieve the confidential data, trace the authorized user or the another user, trace the another device and even the secure device.
[0009] There is, therefore, a need for a portable memory device, which overcomes some or all of the limitations identified above and provide an improved data security and traceability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0010] The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings and the associated description are provided to illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of the invention.
[0011] FIGs. la, lb and lc are exemplary illustrations of an environment, where some embodiments of the present invention can be practiced;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portable memory device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIGs. 3a and 3b are block diagrams of the portable memory device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flow chart describing an exemplary method of usage of the portable memory device when an external association is with an external device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] Those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the Figures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements, in order to improve the understanding of the present invention.
[0016] There may be additional structures described in the foregoing application that are not depicted on one of the described drawings. In the event such a structure is described, but not depicted in a drawing, the absence of such a drawing should not be considered as an omission of such design from the specification.
SUMMARY
[0017] The instant exemplary embodiments provide a portable memory device for effective traceability and tracking of the unauthorized access and use of a confidential data.
[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, a portable memory device capable of being associated with an external association is provided. The external association is an association with an external device or an external network. The portable memory device includes a first memory partition capable of storing a first data, a first controller module configured to detect a communication between the portable memory device and the external association. The portable memory device also includes a second controller module configured to automatically capture an external association information, related to external association, when a predefined condition is satisfied.
[0019] When the external association is an association with the external device, then the external association information can be a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the external device, a name of the external device, a username of a user of the external device, a serial number corresponding to a hard drive of the external device and a basic input/output system (BIOS) number of the external device. When the external association is an association with the external network, then the external association information can be an Internet Protocol (IP) Address of the external network, a Domain Name Server (DNS) address of the external network and a name of the external network.
[0020] The predefined condition may be a detection of the communication between the portable memory device and the external association. More examples of such predefined conditions will be clear from the subsequent specifications
[0021] The portable memory device also includes a second memory partition capable of storing the external association information, such that, the visibility and access of the second memory partition is based on an authentication of external association information. The predefined condition for capturing the external association information may also include the authentication of external association information.
[0022] Further, the portable memory device includes a third controller module configured to detect a change of the first data to a second data and a fourth controller module configured to automatically replicate at least one of the first data and the second data when the change is detected in the first data. The predefined condition for capturing the external association information may also include an initiation of the change of the first data to the second data and a completion of the change of the first data to the second data.
[0023] The portable memory device also includes a third memory partition capable of storing said first data and said second data, wherein visibility and access of said third memory partition is based on authentication of external association information.
[0024] The portable memory device of the present invention can be, but is not limited to, a data processing device, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a media player, a document reader, a phone and a data storage element.
[0025] In an embodiment, the first controller module, the second controller module, the third controller module or the fourth controller module is configured to capture an additional information, like, a time-stamp corresponding to the detection of communication between the portable memory device and the external association, a time-stamp corresponding to the authentication of the external association information, a time-stamp corresponding to the initiation of the change of the first data to the second data and a completion of the change of the first data to the second data and a time-stamp corresponding to an access of the first data by a user of the external association. This additional information can be stored in either of the first memory partition, the second memory partition and the third memory partition.
[0026] In an embodiment, the authentication of the external association is performed by a secure-access module present in the portable memory device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention utilizes a combination of method steps and apparatus components related to a portable memory device and its functioning. Accordingly the apparatus components and the method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
[0028] While the specification concludes with the claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.
[0029] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.
[0030] The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term
"another", as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms "including" and/or "having" as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e. open transition). The term "coupled" or "operatively coupled" as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
[0031] Referring now to the drawings, FIGs. la, lb, and lc depict an exemplary environment in which some embodiments of the present invention can be practiced. FIG. la shows an environment 100a, in which a portable memory device 101 such as a USB Flash drive, a memory stick, a portable hard drive, etc., is associated with an external association 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] The external association 102 can be an association with an external device or an external network such as a Local area network (LAN), the internet, a wide area network (WAN), etc. FIG. lb depicts an environment 100b, in which the portable memory device 101 is shown to be associated with an external device 104. Some examples of the external device 104 include, but are not limited to, a data processing device, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a media player, a document reader, a phone and a data storage element. Similarly, in the environment 100c depicted in FIG. lc, the portable memory device 101 is shown to be associated with an external network 106. The external network 106 may include multiple interconnected devices, like, computers, personal digital assistants, phones, data storage elements, etc. For the purpose of this description, the external network 106 is shown to include the external device 104 and another external device 108.
[0033] An association between the portable memory device 101 and the external device 104 can be of many types including, but not limited to, a Universal serial bus connection, a wire connection, a wireless connection. Similarly, an association between the portable memory device 101 and the external network 106 can include, but is not limited to, a router connection, a wireless connection, a Bluetooth™ connection, an internet connection, a wire connection, a local area network connection.
[0034] The external association 102 and the portable memory device 101 may exchange data with each other through a data cable, a Universal serial bus, Bluetooth , a WiFi , etc.
[0035] For example, the external association is a desktop computer. The portable memory device is a USB Flash drive. The desktop computer and the USB flash drive are connected by plugging the USB flash drive in to the universal serial bus port in the desktop computer. When a user starts data transfer between the desktop computer and the USB flash drive, the data transfer occurs through the universal serial bus.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a block diagram of the portable memory device 101, in accordance with the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the portable memory device 101 may include all or fewer components shown in FIG. 2. Further, those skilled in the art will understand that the portable memory device 101 may include additional components that are not shown here and are not germane to the operation of the portable memory device 101, in accordance with the invention arrangements. To describe the portable memory device 101, reference will be made to FIGs. la, lb, lc, 3a and 3b, although it is understood that the portable memory device 101 can be used in any other suitable environment.
[0037] The portable memory device 101 is shown to include a first memory partition 202, a second memory partition 204 and a third memory partition 206, which are operatively connected to a first controller module 208, a second controller module 210, a third controller module 212, a fourth controller module 214 and a secure access module 216. Although the invention is described with portable memory device 101 having the first controller module 208, the second controller module 210, the third controller module 212, the fourth controller module 214 and the optional secure access module 216 to perform various functions, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that a single controller module or a different number of controllers modules may be designed to implement functions of the above mentioned modules.
[0038] The first memory partition 202 is a user accessible memory partition and is capable of storing a first data 302 (Refer FIG. 3a). The first data 302 can be a text file, a music file, a data file, a word document, an excel document, a drawing file, a video clip, a picture etc. The first data 302 can be associated with a previous external association. For example, the first data 302 may include a data transferred to the portable memory device 101 during the previous external association. In other words, the first data 302 can refer to files transferred to the USB flash drive by the user from the desktop computer during a previous usage of the USB flash drive. In an embodiment, the first memory partition 202 can be accessed by a user of the external association 102 without any authentication, i.e., the user can plug-in the USB flash drive and will be able to access the first memory partition 202. In another embodiment, the first memory partition 202 can be accessed by the user after the authentication, i.e., when the user plugs-in the USB flash drive in the desktop computer, the connection is established through universal serial bus. Thereafter, the user will be prompted to enter an authentication such as a password, one or more of fingerprints, a retina scan, etc. to access the first memory partition 202. Thus, the authentication may involve obtaining the username, the password, one or more of fingerprint, the retina scan etc from the user, comparing the obtained data with a corresponding data for one or more users allowed to access the portable memory device 101, and providing the access to the user accordingly. In an embodiment, the authentication process may also involve comparing information about the external association 102, i.e., an external association information 304, (explained in detail in subsequent sections) with corresponding information for a set of external associations allowed to access the portable memory device 101, and providing the access
accordingly. For example, if the USB flash drive can be used only on a specific desktop computer. Then, when the user connect the USB flash drive to any desktop computer and tries to access the first memory partition of the USB flash drive, the information regarding this desktop computer, i.e., the MAC address, the name of the computer, the BIOS number, etc., is also compared with the corresponding information about the specific desktop computer. The information regarding the desktop computer can be the name of the desktop computer. In an embodiment, the authentication is facilitated by the secure access module 216. For example, the secure access module 216 provides an interface to the user where the user can input the username and password to gain an access to the first memory partition 202. In different embodiments of the present invention, the secure access module 216 may be resident in the first memory partition 202, the second memory partition 204 or the third memory partition 206. In one embodiment, the portable memory device 101 may have an additional secure memory partition to store the secure access module 216. The secure memory partition may be visible to a user of the external association 102.
[0039] As the first memory partition 202 is a user accessible partition, when the association is established between the portable memory device 101 and the external association 102, then a user of the external association 102 can view the first memory partition 202, and accordingly, the first data 302. In other words, when the user connects USB flash drive with a desktop computer and the access to the first memory partition 202 is provided, then the user can view the contents of the first memory partition 202, such as, the text file, the music file, the video clip, the drawing, the picture etc. stored in the first memory partition 202. The association between the portable memory device 101 and the external association 102 can be detected by the first controller module 208, i.e., the first controller module 208 is configured to detect when the portable memory device 101 is connected to the external association 102. For example, when the USB flash drive is connected to the desktop computer, the connection is detected by the first controller module 208.
[0040] The second memory partition 204 is capable of storing the external association information 304. The external association information 304 is an information related to the external association 102. When the external association 102 is the external device 104, then external association information 304 may include, but is not limited to, a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the external device 104, a name of the external device 104, a username of the user of the external device 104, a serial number corresponding to a hard drive of the external device 104 and a basic input/output system (BIOS) number of the external device 104. Further, when the external association 102 is the external network 106, then the external association information 304 can include, but is not limited to an Internet Protocol (IP) Address of the external network 106, a Domain Name Server (DNS) address of the external network 106 and a name of the external network 106.
[0041] The external association information 304 can be captured by the second controller module 210 and then stored in the second memory partition 204. The second controller module 210 captures the external association information 304 when a predefined condition is satisfied. In an exemplary embodiment, the predefined condition is the detection of communication between the portable memory device 101 and the external association 102. Further, the predefined condition can also include, but is not limited to, an authentication of external association information 304, an initiation of change of the first data 302 to a second data 306, a completion of change of the first data 302 to the second data 306, and an access of the external association 102 by the user. For example, when the USB flash drive is plug-in to the desktop computer, the first controller module 208 detects the connection. As soon as, the connection between the USB flash drive and the desktop computer is detected, the second controller module 210 captures the name of the desktop computer, which is then stored in the second memory partition 204. Various embodiments and corresponding predefined conditions mentioned above are explained in conjunction with FIG. 4.
[0042] The access and the visibility of the second memory partition 204 depends upon an authentication of the external association information 304, i.e., when the external association information 304 is deemed as authentic based on one or more pre-defined criteria. In an exemplary embodiment, the access and the visibility of the second memory partition 204 is provided only when a username and/or password corresponding to an administrator of the portable memory device 101 is provided to the external association 102. In another exemplary embodiment, the second memory partition 204 can be a hidden and a secure partition, which is not visible on the external association 102 except when the external association 102 is an administrator device, and that too when the administrator device is being operated by an administrator. In this exemplary embodiment, the access and the visibility is provided only when a MAC address of the external association 102 corresponds to the administrator device and the username and/or the password corresponds to the administrator of the portable memory device 101. For example, the second memory partition 204 will be accessible to the user when the USB flash drive is plugged-in to an administrator computer and the user details, i.e., the username, the password, the retina scan and the finger print, etc. correspond to the administrator. The authentication is facilitated by the secure access module 216.
[0043] The third memory partition 206 is capable of storing the first data 302, the second data 306 and an additional data 308. The additional data 308 can be associated with the external association 102 or the previous external associations. When a change of the first data 302 to the second data 306 in the first memory partition 202 is detected by the third controller module 212, the fourth controller module 214 replicates the first data 302 and/or the second data 306 in the third memory partition 206. For example, if four files a, b, c, and d are already present in the first memory partition 202 of the USB flash drive. Now, the first data 302 can be changed to the second data 306 by copying an additional file 'e' in the first memory partition 202 from the USB flash drive. Also, the first data 302 can be changed to the second data 306 by deleting a file, for

example, the file 'c' stored in the first memory partition 202 . The third controller module 212 detects the copying or deleting of the file. Thereafter, the fourth controller module 214 copies the file 'e' to the third memory partition 206 when the file 'e' is copied the first memory partition 202. Also, the fourth controller module 214 does not delete file 'c' from the third memory partition 206 when the file 'c' is deleted from the first memory partition 202. In an exemplary embodiment, the second data 306 is stored in the third memory partition 206 if the second data 306 is larger than the first data 302. In another exemplary embodiment, the first data 302 is stored in the third memory partition 206 when the second data 306 is smaller than the first data 302. These embodiments are explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 4.
[0044] The access and the visibility of the third memory partition 206 depends upon an authentication of the external association information 304, i.e., when the external association information 304 is deemed as authentic based on one or more pre-defined criteria. In an exemplary embodiment, the access and the visibility of the third memory partition 206 is provided only when a username and/or password corresponding to an administrator of the portable memory device 101 is provided to the external association 102. In another exemplary embodiment, the third memory partition 206 can be a hidden and a secure partition, which is not visible on the external association 102 except when the external association 102 is an administrator device, and that too when the administrator device is being operated by an administrator. In this exemplary embodiment, the access and the visibility is provided only when a MAC address of the external association 102 corresponds to the administrator device and the username and/or the password corresponds to the administrator of the portable memory device 101. For example, the third memory partition 206 will be accessible to the user, when the USB flash drive is plugged-in to an administrator computer and the user details, i.e., the username, the password, the retina scan and the finger print, etc. correspond to the administrator. The authentication is facilitated by the secure access module 216.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the third memory partition 206 cannot be modified by any user, i.e., any file or data once stored in the third memory partition 206 cannot be deleted or tampered with. Therefore, at any point in time the third memory partition 206 is configured to store all the data that has ever been copied to the user accessible memory partition of the portable memory device 101, i.e., the first memory partition 202.
[0046] Although the invention is described with portable memory device 101 having the first controller module 208, the second controller module 210, the third controller module 212, the fourth controller module 214 and the optional secure access module 216 to perform various functions, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that a single controller module or a different number of controllers modules may be designed to implement functions of the above mentioned modules.
[0047] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 400 of usage of the portable memory device 101 when the external association 102 is with the external device 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. To describe the method 400, reference will be made to FIGs. la, lb, lc, 3a and 3b, although it is understood that the method 400 can be implemented in any other suitable environment or external association. Moreover, the invention is not limited to the order in which the steps are listed in the method 400.
[0048] Although, the method 400 is explained considering the external association 102 to be with the external device 104, it will be readily apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that method 400 can be performed without deviating from the scope of the present invention, even when the external association 102 is with the external network 106.
[0049] At step 402, the method 400 is initiated. Thereafter, the portable memory device 101 is connected to the external device 104 at step 404. The connection between the portable memory device 101 and the external device 104 may be, but is not limited to, the wire connection, the wireless connection, the router connection, the Bluetooth™ connection, the internet connection and the Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection. For example, when the connection is a USB connection, then the connection may be established when a user of the external device 104 physically connects the portable memory device 101 through the USB port of the external device 104.
[0050] At step 406, the connection between the portable memory device 101 and the external device 104 is detected. The connection is detected by the first controller module 208. For example, the first controller module 208 detects as soon as the USB connection between the portable memory device 101 and the external device 104 is active. At this instance, the second controller module 210 may capture the external association information 304, i.e., some or all of the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the external device 104, the name of the external device 104, the username of the user of the external device 104, the serial number corresponding to the hard drive of the external device 104 and the basic input/output system (BIOS) number of the external device 104. The external association information 304 is then stored in the second memory partition 204.
[0051] At step 408, the first memory partition 202 is accessed by the user of the external device 104. For example, the user may try to view the contents of the portable memory device 101 in an interface of the external device 104. In an embodiment, the contents of the portable memory device 101 may not be visible without the authentication of the user and the external device 104. In this embodiment, the secure access module 216 facilitates the authentication of some or all of the external device 104, the user and the external association information 304 to provide the user an access to the first memory partition 202.
[0052] In an embodiment, the external association information 304 is captured when the user accesses the first memory partition 202. In yet another embodiment, the external association information 304 is captured when the username and the password corresponding to the user is authenticated.
[0053] At step 410, the first data 302 stored in the first memory partition 202 of the portable memory device 101 is changed to the second data 306. The first data 302 can be changed to the second data 306 either by addition of one or more file in the first data 302 or by deleting one or more files from the first data 302.
[0054] For example, four files a, b, c, and d are already present in the first memory partition 202, and thus, constitute the first data 302. The files a, b, c and d may have been stored in the first memory partition 202 during its previous external associations with the external device 104 or other devices/networks. Now, in an exemplary scenario, the first data 302 is changed to the second data 306 by copying an additional file 'e' in the first memory partition 202 of the portable memory device 101 from the external device 104. In another exemplary scenario, the first data 302 can be changed to the second data 306 by deleting a file, for example, the file 'c' stored in the first memory partition 202 of the portable memory device 101.
[0055] At step 412, the change of the first data 302 to the second data 304 is detected by the third controller module 212. In an embodiment the third controller module 212 detects the change of the first data 302 to the second data 306 at the initiation of the change. In another embodiment, the third controller module 212 detects the change of the first data 302 to the second data 306 at the completion of the change. Accordingly, the external association information 304 can also be, simultaneously or in succession, captured and stored in the second memory partition 204.
[0056] At step 414, either the first data 302 or the second data 306 is replicated in the third memory partition 206. The replication is done, based upon the detection of the change of the first data 302 to the second data 306.
[0057] Continuing with the example explained in conjunction with step 410, the third memory partition 206 may have files a, b, c and d, i.e., the first data 302, along with an additional data 308, including, files x, y and z.
[0058] In the exemplary scenario, when the first data 302 is changed to the second data 306 by addition of one or more files in the first data 302 then the second data 306 is replicated in the third memory partition 206. For example, a new file, for example, file e is transferred from the external device 104 to the first memory partition 202 thereby changing the first data 302. i.e., a, b, c and d to second data 306, i.e., a, b, c, d and e. In this example, the fourth controller module 214 copies and stores the file e to the third memory partition 206 also, such that, the third
memory partition 206 ends up having the files a, b, c, d and e, i.e., the second data 306, along with additional data 308, i.e., files x, y and z.
[0059] In the exemplary scenario, when the first data 302 is changed to the second data 306 by deleting the one or more files from the first data 302 then the first data 302 is replicated in the third memory partition 206. For example, the first data 302 is changed to the second data 306 by deleting the file 'c' stored in the first memory partition 202 of the portable memory device 101. Now, the second data 306 contains files a, b, and d. Since, the third memory partition 206 already has the files a, b, c and d, therefore, no additional change is required in the third memory partition 206 to replicate the first data 302 into it.
[0060] In another exemplary scenario, when the additional file being copied into the first memory partition 202 from the external device 104 is already existing in the third memory partition 206, then the additional file may be copied to the third memory partition 206 with an indication of the version in its name. For example, if the file x is added to the first data 302 then it is also copied to the third memory partition 206, however, with a changed name, for example, x_l. The name is changed to indicate that the additional file x_l is a revised version or a replicated version of an already existing file x.
[0061] Thereafter, the method 400 terminates at step 416.
[0062] Further, the second memory partition 204 and the third memory partition 206 are hidden and secure partitions. Therefore, the user cannot tamper with the data stored in the third memory partition 206 and the external association information stored in the second memory partition 204. However, the third memory partition 206 can be accessed and viewed with the help of a special application stored on the administrator device by providing the username corresponding to the administrator. Therefore, the personal and unauthorized use of the portable memory device 101 can be traced.
[0063] In an embodiment, at each and every step of the method 400 a time stamp of occurrence is also captured and stored along with the external association information 304. For example, a time-stamp corresponding to the detection of said communication between said portable memory device 101 and said external association 102, a time-stamp corresponding to said authentication of said external association information 304, a time-stamp corresponding to an initiation of said change of said first data 302 to said second data 306 and the completion of said change of said first data 302 to said second data 306 and a time-stamp corresponding to an access of said first data 302 by the user of said external association 102 are also captured. The time stamps may be captured by the second controller module 210 and stored along with the external association information 304 in the second memory partition, thereby, enabling a greater traceability of usage of the portable memory device 101 and the data transferred to/from the portable memory device 101.
[0064] The external association information 304 and corresponding time stamps may be stored in the second memory partition 204 in the form of a log file or a database. This log file or the database may serve as a ready reference to identify when, by whom and to/from which device was a particular data transferred from/to said portable memory device 101.
[0065] Various embodiments of the portable memory device provide several advantages. One advantage of some of the embodiments is a comprehensive traceability of usage of the portable memory device, for example, the present invention enables tracing that who has used the portable memory device, when the portable memory device was used, what data was copied or deleted to/from the portable memory device, etc. Additionally, it enables complete backup of all the data that was ever copied to/from the portable memory device. Thus, the portable memory device also serves as a reliable source of data in case of emergency situations of data loss from an original source. Several embodiments of the present invention enable creation of a database or log of the usage of the portable memory device which can be shared with others, and serve as documented proof of the usage.
[0066] It will be appreciated that the portable memory device, described herein, may comprise one or more conventional processors and unique stored program instructions that control the one or more processors, to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the system described herein. The non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to, signal drivers, clock circuits, power-source circuits, and user- input devices. As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method of dynamic modification of messages. Alternatively, some or all the functions can be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function, or some combinations of certain of the functions, are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches can also be used. Thus, methods and means for these functions have been described herein.
[0067] It is expected that one with ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, will be readily capable of generating such software instructions, programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.
[0068] In the foregoing specification, the invention and its benefits and advantages have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one with ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that various modifications and changes can be made, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and the Figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit,
advantage or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims, including any amendments made during the pendency of this application, and all equivalents of those claims, as issued.
[0069] All documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

CLAIMS
1. A portable memory device capable of being associated with an external association,
wherein said external association being with at least one of an external device and an external
network, said portable memory device comprising:
a first memory partition capable of storing a first data;
a first controller module configured to detect a communication between said portable memory device and said external association;
a second controller module configured to automatically capture an external association information when a predefined condition is satisfied, wherein said external association information is related to said external association;
a second memory partition capable of storing said external association information, wherein visibility and access of said second memory partition is based on an authentication of external association information;
a third controller module configured to detect a change of said first data to a second data;
a fourth controller module configured to automatically replicate at least one of said first data and said second data when said change is detected in said first data;
a third memory partition capable of storing said first data and said second data, wherein visibility and access of said third memory partition is based on authentication of external association information.
2. The portable memory device as recited in claim 1, wherein said external device is one of a data processing device, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a media player, a document reader, a phone and a data storage element.
3. The portable memory device as recited in claim 1, wherein said external association information comprises at least one of a Media Access Control (MAC) address of said external device, a name of said external device, a username of a user of said external device, a serial number corresponding to a hard drive of said external device, a basic input/output system (BIOS) number of said external device, an Internet Protocol (IP) Address of said external device, a
Domain Name Server (DNS) address of said external network and a name of said external network.
4. The portable memory device as recited in claim 1, wherein said predefined condition is a detection of said communication between said portable memory device and said external association.
5. The portable memory device as recited in claim 1, wherein said predefined condition is said authentication of said external association information.
6. The portable memory device as recited in claim 1, wherein said predefined condition is selected from the group comprising an initiation of said change of said first data to said second data and a completion of said change of said first data to said second data.
7. The portable memory device as recited in claim 1, wherein said predefined condition is an access of said first data by a user of said external association.
8. The portable memory device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first controller module, said second controller module, said third controller module and said fourth controller module is configured to capture an additional information comprising at least one of a time-stamp corresponding to a detection of said communication between said portable memory device and said external association, a time-stamp corresponding to said authentication of said external association information, a time-stamp corresponding to an initiation of said change of said first data to said second data and a completion of said change of said first data to said second data and a time-stamp corresponding to an access of said first data by a user of said external association.
9. The portable memory device as recited in claim 8, wherein at least one of said first memory partition, said second memory partition and said third memory partition is configured to store said additional information.
10. The portable memory device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a secure-access module, the secure-access module is configured to facilitate an authentication of said external association.